Radiator



Feb. 16, 1932. T, BENNETT 1,845,073

RADIATOR Filed Sept. 12, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1. 'r. BENNETT 1,845,073

RADIATOR Filed Sept. 12, 1928 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Irv/Arc ZfiE/V/VETT Feb. 16, 1932.

I. T. BENNETT RADIATOR Feb. 16, 1932.

iled Sept. 12.

1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .llllu'lllllrllnclllll'lll! awwemto'c fr? w/vc TEEN/v57)? Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRVING T. BENNETT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESN'E ASSIGNMENTS,

'10 AMERICAN RADIATOR & STANDARD SANITARY CORPORATION, A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE I summon Application filed September 12, 1928.

My invention aims to provide improvements in radiators operating chiefly by convection so as to circulate the warm air rapidly and uniformly throughout a room. Or the apparatus may be used for cooling by supplying it with cold brine or the like instead of steam or other heating medium.

The accompanying drawings illustrate em bodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a plan;

Fig. 2 is a face elevation;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a radiator;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line -14 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the chamber for the heating medium;

Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views similar to Fig.v 4 illustrating alternative chambers;

Fig. 11 is a partial section similar to Fig. 4 illustrating an alternative style of con struction;

Fig. 12 is a section similar to Fig. 4 illus trating another modification.

In certain previous Patents 1,7 7 4,078, J an-' uary 21, 1930 to Thomas E. Murray and No. 1.716359, June 11, 1929 to Murray & Phelps, there are described radiators comprising a heating element with an extended surface structure applied thereto for conducting the v heat away from the heating element rapidly and transmitting it to the air circulating upward in fines and open ducts formed by said structure; and with this style of radiators a high degree of efficiency has been achieved.

The preferred metal has been copper for its superior conductivity, and the heating elements described in said applications have been tubes or other thin walled chambers. When tubes are used their shape gives them considerable strength against collapsing under an internal vacuum as well as against distortion under pressure from within.

When a. non-circular chamber has been used, the flexibility of the thin side walls has necessitated the designing of the rest of the structure so as to stiffen them against substantial distortion under either pressure or vacuum within.

An important feature of the present con- Serial No. 305,337.

ble of resisting the pressure occurring in use. Such a chamber has the advantage that it provides a great surface to which the extended area structure can be joined, thus providing a very wide path for transmission of the heat from the heating element to said structure.

Referring to Fig. 1, the heating element, or prime surface, is formed by a narrow chamber or vessel 1 which may be less than an inch in width from front to back and which has a height many times its width. It therefore has a large inside heating surface for Contact with the steam or other heating medium as well as a large external surface for transmitting heat. Because of the large surface utilized it need not be of copper but may be of less expensive materials such as cast iron; th0ugh.it may also be' of other metals such as other kinds of iron or steel, cooper, brass, aluminum or alloys thereof, or in fact almost any metal.

It is made with enlarged circular bosses 2 at the four corners, which may be drilled and tapped for pipe connections as desired. Different combinations will be best for different locations.

In the case illustrated the upper left-hand and the lower right-hand projections are drilled for an admission and an outlet pipe respectively. Rigidity is secured with comparatively thin walls by making the casting with internal cross webs at intervals such as the cylindrical webs 3 so located that the internal pressure on a given area shall always be well within the bursting strength of the casting. Where cast iron or similar metal is used, the front and back surfaces will be faced or machined so as to improve the ex ternal contact with the extended area structure.

On the face of the chamber there is applied a radiating structure comprising transverse fins 4 with longitudinal webs 5 connecting them in successive pairs at their outer edges and with alternately located inner plates 6 connecting their inner edges as shown in Fig. 1.

This structure is conveniently made up of corrugated sheets either extending in one piece from end to end of the radiator, or made up in units of less length. 'hen applied they form a number of vertical fines T which are closed in cross-section and alternate ducts 8 which are closed at the sides and inner ends but open at the outer ends. Through these fines and ducts, open at top and bottom, the air circulates and is heated by contact with their extended area so that its velocity is accelerated audit is circulated rapidly throughout the room. The design of these flues and ducts is such that practically all the heat energy is transmitted by the convection principle and only a very small part of the total heat output is radiant energy. In the circulating effect the closed fiues 7 are more ellicient than the open ducts 8: though both styles of passage have a substantial effect in creating a draft and circulating the warmed air through a room.

The fins 4 are inclined in alternately opposite directions so as to provide flared open spaces 8 which facilitate the insertion of fastening means. The plates 6 are applied to the heating chamber witha close heat conducting connection throughout their length and width. This may be done by soldering, welding, brazing or the like. Preferably, however, separate fastening members are used, as illustrated. These may be in the form of channels with longitudinal webs 9 and transverse flanges or fins 10. The cor rugated structure and the straps or fasten ng members extend above and below the heating chamber, where they are drawn closely against. the heating chamber by means of screws 11.

The extended area structure is preferably of'copper, in which term I include cuprous metals generally, and the straps of steel (in which I include ferrous metal generally). The copper may be used in very thin. sheets, the steel straps serving to contribute stiffness and being generally slightly heavier. The flanges 10 may be made of greater width so as to provide additional area for contact with the air. In that case. the spaces between the closed tlnes may be made wider. Instead of copper, other materials may be successfully employed; such as aluminum, brass, zinc, steel and. in fact, any workable metal.

Various other methods may be uscd'for securing the fins to the steam chamber. Fig. 11 illustrates an alternate method. The webs 9 of the straps are bent inward immediately above the chamber, the plates 6 being cut away to permit the bringing of the ends 12 close to each other. They are then forced together and connected by welds 13. This may be made in various ways, or screws, rivets or the like may be used.

The circulating passages formed b the extended area structure may be carrie to a height considerably greater than that of the chamber, as in Fig. 12, so as to effect the fullest utilization of the heat. This is particularly useful in using steam at the highest temperatures. The increased height of these passages provides, of course, an increased airheating area as well as an increased rate of circulation.

The chamber 14 in this case is made of less height than in the previous figures. The fins and straps are connected by screws 11 immediately above and below the chamber and in addition by screw 15 near the upper end passing through-tubular spacers 16.

The desired rigidity of the chamber may be achieved without using a casting therefor. Figs. 6 to 10 illustrate the use of sheet steel of heavy gage, say one-ei hth of an inch or heavier. According to ig. (5 a single sheet 17 is used with its edges 18 and 19 overlapping and soldered, welded, brazed or otherwise made steam-tight. This chamber as well as those of the other figures may be reinforced internally by longitudinal channels 20 welded in place and having flanges 21 spanning the width between the walls so as to prevent their collapsing inward when a vacuum occurs. The external straps 9, 10 will generally provide a sufhcicnt reinforcement against pressure within the chamber.

According to Fig. 7 the chamber is made of two heavy sheets 22 with flanges 23 at their edges which are butt welded by the electric resistance method or soldered, brazed or welded in other ways.

According to Fig. 8, the opposite plates 24 have at their edges transverse flanges and longitudinal flanges 26 which can be united by common spot welding or similar methods or by the method of ll or in any of the ways pre iously described, or even by fasteners passing through the flanges 26.

In fact they can be economically united in the manner of Fig. 10 in which one of the flanges 26 has an extension 27 which is crimped over the other as in making cans and similar articles.

\Vhere the walls are so thin in proportion to their height and length as not to have the. desired rigidity. this quality may be supplied by internal braces such as those of Fig. (3 or by forming indentations 28, Fig. 9, in the opposite walls 29, which provide internal projections engaging each other in the manner of the webs 3 of Fig. 4 and properly distributing any internal strain due to vacuum.

In making the chamber of sheets, various metals may be used such, for example. as steel, copper, brass, aluminum. zinc and al loys thereof. The thickness will be such as to secure rigidity, so that the walls will hold their shapes and will make good contact with LLC the extended area structure throughout substantially the length and breadth of the contacting portions of the latter.

Various modifications in detail and in the arrangement of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A convection radiator comprising a high, narrow, substantially rigid chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small high passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry ofi' the heat rapidly and distribute it into remote )ortions of the rooin, said structure extending vertically beyond the chamber a distance at least as great as its lateral extension from the side of the chamber.

2. A convection radiator comprising asubstantially rigid chamber for steamo'r other heating medium anda-nextended area structure applied thereto with a good heat conducting contact and extending above the same and providing a number of comparatively small high passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly and distribute it into remote portions of the room, said extended area structure coniprising corrugated sheet metal with the inner portions of the corrugations in contact with the rigid side walls of the chamber and comparatively stiff straps applied to the outside .faces of said inner portions of the corrugations and extending substantially to the upper edges of the sheet to hold the latter in place and to stiffen the portion thereof above the chamber.

3. A. convection radiator for heating the air of a room, said radiator comprising a high narrow chamber having flatouter faces and having walls so thick as to ensure substantial rigidity against the pressure of steam within and to prevent substantial distortion of such faces and an extended area structure applied to said flat outer faces with a good heat conducting contact and forming a number of comparatively small high vertical passages in which the air is heated and an upward draft induced so as to carry off the heat rapidly and distribute it into remote portions of the room, said extended area structure comprising laterally finned pieces of comparatively thin metal engaging the opposite faces of the chamber and fastened to each other above and below the chamber.

4. A convection radiator for heating the air of a room. said radiator comprising a high narrow chamber having flat outer faces and having walls so thick as to ensure substantial rigidity against the pressure of steam within and to prevent substantial distortion of such faces and an extended area structure applied to said fiat outer faces with a good heat conducting contact and forming a number of comparatively small high vertical passages in which the air is heated and an upward draft induced so as to carry Off the heat rapidly and distribute it into remote portions of the room, said extended area structure comprising pieces of sheet metal having inner portions in contact with the side faces of the chamber and having vertical fins extending outward from said inner portions, comparatively stifit' straps applied to the outside faces of said inner portions and serving to hold them flat against .the faces of the chamber.

5. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having generally flat side Walls, the opposite walls having inward projections registering with each other and meeting within the chamber to form transverse braces.

6. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for st-eam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having two generally flat opposite side walls with indentations therein which form internal projections from said opposite sides engaging each other within the chamber.

7. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a .number of comparatively small vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber comprising generally flat side plates with inwardly extending peripheral flanges united to each other.

8. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for steam or otherheating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly. said chamber comprising generally fiat side plates with inwardly extending peripheral flanges united to each other and with indentations therein.

9. A convection radiator icompri'sing achamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of com aratively small vertical assages in whic the air is heated and circu ated so as to of the heat rapidly, said chamber com rising generally flat side plates with inw 1y extending ripheral flanges united to each (fither an with indentations therein which orm opposite internal projections engagmg' each other within the chamber.

10. A convection radiator comp a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure a plied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providin a number of comparatively small, vertica passa es in which the air is heated and circula so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having two generally flat opposite side walls with integral indentations extended inwardly to the opposite wall and serving to hold said flat walls duly spaced and against lateral distortion.

11. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for steam or other heatin medium and an extended area structure app ied to the side faces thereof in intimate heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small, vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having two corresponding opposite generally flat side walls with indentations extending inwardly from opposite sides of each chamber to the 0 )posite wall and serving to hold said flat wall s duly spaced and against lateral distortion.

12. A convection radiator comprisin a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof in intimate eat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small, vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having two corresponding opposite generally flat side walls with indentations extending inwardly from opposite sides of said chamber to the opposite wall and co-operating therewith to hold said flat sides duly spaced at a plurality of separated places.

13. A convection radiator comprisin a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure applied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providing a. number of comparatively small, vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having inlet and outletopenings and having two corresponding side walls which are substantially flat along the length of their inner faces, and having longitudinal spacing means dividing the interior into a plurality of longitudinally ext-ending passages enclosed between the side walls and the spacing means and communicating with one another and with said inlet and outlet openin 1 4. A convection ra iator comprising a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure a plied to the side faces thereof with a good heat conducting contact and providin a number of comparatively small, vertica passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber having two opposite side wal s which are sub stantially flat along the length of their inner faces, and having longitudinal spacing means extending across the interior and dividin the interior into a pluralit of longitudina ly extending assages enc osed between the said walls and the spacin means and communicating with one anot er only at points beyond said spacing means.

15. A convection radiator comprisin a chamber for steam or other heating medium and an extended area structure a plied to the side faces thereof with a good iieat conducting contact and providin a number of comparatively small, vertica passages in which the air is heated and circulated so as to carry oil the heat rapidly, said chamber having two opposite side walls with flat inner faces, and having spacing means between which are vertical passageways enclosed between said flat walls for the free circulation -of the heating medium between the several parts of the chamber.

16. A convection radiator comprising a chamber for steam or other heating medium, said chamber having generally fiat side walls with braces extending inwardly therefrom and leaving internal passages for the heating medium, and an extended area structure constituting the exposed sides of the radiator applied to the flat side faces of said chamber with a good heat conducting contact and providing a number of comparatively small vertical passages in which the air is heated and circulated to carry off the heat rapidly, said chamber being imperforate (except for the admission and discharge of the heating medium) and said extended area structure being applied to the chamber by means located entirely outside of the chamber and within the outer face of the extended area structure.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

IRVING T. BENNETT. 

